Ian Black dismisses critics and hopes goal is first of many

IAN Black is determined to find the back of the net more often for Rangers after finally opening his account for the club.

The midfielder – who swapped Hearts for Ibrox in the summer – netted the opener in Saturday’s 4-0 win over Queen’s Park in the Irn-Bru Third Division.

Black has admitted to being unhappy with his form this term but hopes his first Rangers goal can spur him on.

He said: “It was my first goal and I’m just delighted for the team mainly. I just hope I can pop up with a few more.

“I’ve had a few efforts and I’ve just been unfortunate so it was a case of getting the first one. Hopefully I can kick on.”

Andy Little grabbed a double and Dean Shiels was also on the scoresheet as Rangers bounced back from last week’s William Hill Scottish Cup exit to Dundee United.

Black added: “We knew we had to come out and give a reaction. It was disappointing for ourselves and the fans so we knew we had to come out and play well.

“I thought the boys did that really well. We played well in the second half, knocked the ball about and the second goal, especially, was a really good team goal. It was good to see and there is a lot of confidence, especially after last week.”

Black, in particular, was criticised after picking up a red card late in the game at Tannadice, as Rangers slumped to a 3-0 defeat. He said: “The people who write stories are always going to criticise me. I thought it was a bit harsh with the sending-off.

“I’m just delighted to play well in this game for the fans and the team and to score a goal. They say I’ve got a track record but there are certain individuals who just love to stick the knife in. I’m big enough to deal with that.

“If you watched it, you saw their players as well pleading with the referee so I think the people who are criticising should look at the great honesty from the opposition and that says it all.”

Black’s reaction to the red card also prompted criticism after he laughed at the United fans and pretended to pick up the corner flag as he made his way to the tunnel.

He added: “If you’ve not got a sense of humour, you’re a very sad person. I take a bit of stick and it’s a bit of banter.

“I’m a bubbly guy, I like a bit of a laugh and I give as good as I get. If people want to criticise for that, they need to get a life.”

The win over Queen’s Park allowed Rangers to move 22 points clear in the title race but Black claims finding motivation for the remainder of the campaign is not an issue.

Black, who opened the scoring on Saturday five minutes after the restart when he volleyed home a Barrie McKay cross, said: “There are a lot of boys in there who haven’t won a title. Any title is something big for a player. You want to win so motivation doesn’t even come into it. Everybody is buzzing and that showed in this game.”

Dean Shiels provided the assist for Little’s close-range finish to double Rangers lead, while Shiels himself got on the scoresheet 12 minutes from time when he latched on to a Lee Wallace cutback. Little put the gloss on the win with a curling shot past Neil Parry.